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Mr.Bill

(24,906 posts)

19. My dad worked for United, retired in '84.

Reply to The Velveteen Ocelot (Reply #4)

Tue Apr 11, 2017, 07:31 PM

Apr 2017

I did a lot of non-rev flying as a kid, mostly in the 60s. Once some flight attendants let me sit in one of the jump seats to keep me from getting bumped off in Chicago. I was about ten years old. A rare exception to the rules, I suppose.

As non-revs we learned how to reduce the chances of getting bumped off. Always fly non-stop if you can, avoid major hubs for stops like O'Hare, DFW, etc. If you do have to make stops, try and do them in the middle of the night. There were five in our family and many times we split into two groups to get available seats on separate flights. It was a real adventure for a kid. After getting bumped, I have spent the night wandering around most every major airport in the country. A real wonderland when you are ten and full of energy.

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The United conundrum. Been there...on the other side...sorta [View all] trof Apr 2017 OP

I worked for an airline, too, and never saw anything like the United mess. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #1

Yeah, non-revving was always kind of a crap shoot. Still is. trof Apr 2017 #5

I never even tried meal listing for any flight that was full unless there were several consecutive.. Hassin Bin Sober Apr 2017 #20

Wow, that brings back memories. trof Apr 2017 #23

Hi. Hassin Bin Sober Apr 2017 #24

Don't they have a few extra seats where the flight attendants sit? world wide wally Apr 2017 #2

Yes, but passengers are not allowed to use them. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #4

Wouldn't the employee they had to fly have qualified for one of those seats? world wide wally Apr 2017 #6

Probably not. Those seats are usually reserved for FAs The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #8

Cockpit or cabin crew would. trof Apr 2017 #11

I had read that the 4 employees were mechanics The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #12

OK, THAT would be unusual. trof Apr 2017 #13

It looks like it was a United Express flight, and it wasn't overbooked after all. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #14

Just an aside: I HATE RJs. trof Apr 2017 #17

My "favorite" is the Bombardier CRJ-200. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #18

My dad worked for United, retired in '84. Mr.Bill Apr 2017 #19

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. trof Apr 2017 #7

I think you experienced KT2000 Apr 2017 #3

Yep, and we have short memories. trof Apr 2017 #9

Once they had boarded the plane it was too late Voltaire2 Apr 2017 #10

Welcome to DU, Voltaire2! calimary Apr 2017 #25

Thanks, and sure they could have found a price. Voltaire2 Apr 2017 #26

Corporate arrogance and thuggery. moondust Apr 2017 #15

That is what I think too. The employees of UA are assholes AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #21

I wonder if you knew Richard (Dick) Fenimore... Purrfessor Apr 2017 #16

I always flight standby on United and will not list on any flight that has fewer than 20 seats kimbutgar Apr 2017 #22

We once spent 3 days in the Frankfurt airport, trying to get... 3catwoman3 Apr 2017 #27